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Tips for parents of young children

Former Secretary of Hillary Rodham Clinton is helping initiate a public service campaign encouraging Hispanic families to read, sing and talk more to their young children so they're better prepared for school. The effort is part of the "Too Small to Fail" campaign started last year by the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation and Next Generation, a San Francisco-based non-profit.

Here are some tips for parents of young children:

— Talk with your child every day. Describing what you see through the window on the bus or counting the items in your shopping cart helps them learn.

— Turn it off, and tune in. Today, we're connected to our televisions, mobile phones and other electronic devices more than ever. But, there's no substitute for time talking, playing and engaging directly with your child. So, "turn it off, and tune in."

— Read or explore books with your child for at least 15 minutes every day. It helps grow your child's vocabulary and feel closer to you.

— Hug, sing, and laugh with your child. These simple moments help your child bond with you and promote their brain development.

— Ask about your child's day, their feelings or give them a chance to tell you a story.

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Source: "Too Small to Fail" campaign by Next Generation and the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

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